Multitop table



Oct. 11, 1932. M. D. GIBSON, 1,881,475

MULTITOP TABLE Filed Dec. 17, 1930 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W INVENTOR 3 Marshall .17. Gibson,

WW Y fl/S ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 11, 1932. GlBsoN 1,881,475

MULTITOP TABLE Filed Dec. 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mara/14H 17. Gibson.

. By/jgl I Z H/S ATTORNEYqS'.

Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTITOP TABLE Application filed December 1'7, 1930. Serial No. 502,926.

This invention relates to -multi-top tables, that is to tables having a number of horizontal surfaces one on top of another.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a table soarranged that it may be used as an ordinary table but having a plurality of horizontal members which by ma nipu-lation may be so arranged as to provide a number of surfaces one on top of another.

Another object of this invention is to provide simple and efiicient mechanism by which a plurality of horizontal members may be positioned in order that a table may be used as an ordinary table or as one with a plurality of tops one on top of the other.

Further objects will be apparent from the following detail description taken in conneotion with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table in closed position.

Figs. 2 and 3 show modified forms of legs.

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the table in extended position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 55, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section showing the mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail section on line 7 7 Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail section on line 8-8, Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

The table in its closed position, as will be noticed from Fig. 1, has the appearance of 5 an ordinary table. It includes a top member 1 having depending flanges 2 and a frame comprising legs 3, end and side aprons 4, and

a horizontal top member 5. The frame members, which are the legs 3, aprons 4 and hori- 0 zontal top member 5, may be secured together in any acceptable way, preferably by spot welding. The tab-1e may be constructed either of wood or metal, the preferable material being metal, and such preferred construction is illustrated in the drawings.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the legs maybe of rectangular cross-section, but may also be of angle construction as illustrated in Fig. 2, or tubular as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The horizontal top member is secured to and supported by four vertical members 6 telescoping with or into the legs 3. The vertical members 6 are preferably channelled having substantially a U-cr-oss-section.

An intermediate horizontal member 7 is mounted between the horizontal members 1 and 5, and is slotted to permit the passage therethrough of the vertical members 6. The slots are so arranged as to form a tongue 8 fitting into the channel section of the horizontal member of the vertical member 6, as best shown in Fig. 8.

Each of the vertical members 6 have a cross pin 9 spaced from the top member 1 and adapted to engage the tongue 8 of the intermediate horizontal member 7 and thereby raise it in position when the vertical members 6 are raised by mechanism which will be presently described. The horizontal members 1,5 and 7, are formed in such a. manner that they will, when closed, nest closely together, as best shown in Fig. 5. V

A shaft 10 is journalled for rotation in the side aprons 4 and has fixed to it a sprocket 11. The shaft 10 may be turned by a detachable crank 12.

A shaft 13 is also mounted for rotation in the side aprons 4e, and has fixed toit a sprocket 14. A link belt 15- operates about the sprocketsll and 14, and thus provides means whereby the shafts 10' and 13 may be rotated in unison. It is obvious that other and equivalent means must be used for this purpose. Each of the vertical members 6 may be punched to form a rack 16 on one of its sides. The shafts 10 and 13 each have secured to it gears 17 in mesh, respectively with the racks of the vertical members 6.

It will now be apparent that by rotating the shaft 10, the shaft 13 will also be rotated and thus through the gears 17 simultaneously ment With one of the gears 17. This latch comprises integrally a central piece 19 mounted for rotation on the front side apron 4, a lug 20 for engagement between the teeth of a gear 17, and a handle 21 exterior of the side apron 4 for manual manipulation.

Asa matter of convenience, a drawer 22 of any preferred type may be included as a part of the table. It Wlll be apparent that the arrangement of the mechanism is such that it Will not interfere With the placing of the drawer.

In a modification, as illustrated in Fig. 9, spools 23 are fixed to the shafts 10 and 13 in place of the gears 17, and steel tapes 24 are secured to and Wound upon the spools respectively. On one end of each tape is secured to the lovver portion of a vertical member 6 by a pin 25. Rollers 26 mounted on the frame provide bearings for the tapes 24. In this modified construction the racks 16 are dispensed With.

It will be apparent that parts of the invention may be used Without the Whole, and that I various changes may be made in the details of construction, Within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described having a frame including legs, a horizontal member having a top surface secured to the legs, vertical members telescoping With the legs, a

horizontal top member secured to and supported by said vertical members, means operable manually to simultaneously elevate said vertical members, an intermediate horizontal member, and engaging elements secured to said vertical members and spaced from said horizontal top member adapted to elevate said intermediate member.

2. A device of the class described having a frame including legs, a horizontal member having a top surface secured to the legs, vertical members telescoping With the legs, a

horizontal top member secured to and supported by said vertical members, a shaft mounted in the frame, a crank for manually rotating the shaft, and -means operable by the shaft for simultaneously elevating said vertical members.

3. A device of the class described having a frame including legs, a horizontal member having a top surface secured to the legs, vertical members telescoping with the legs, a horizontal top member secured to and supported by said vertical members, a pair of having a top surface secured to the legs, vertical members telescoping With the legs, a horizontal top member secured to and supported by said vertical members, a shaft mounted in the frame, a crank for manually rotating the shaft, means operable by the shaft for simultaneously elevating said vertical members, and a latch operable manually for securing said shaft against rotation.

5. A device of the class described having a frame including legs, a horizontal member having a top surface secured to the legs, vertical channel members telescoping With the legs, a horizontal top member secured to and supported by said vertical members, means operable manually to simultaneously elevate said vertical members, an intermediate horizontal member having tongues extending into the'channels of said vertical members, and a cross member 1n each of the vertical members adapted to engage a tongue and thereby elevate said intermediate member,

MARSHALL D. GIBSON.

shafts mounted for rotation in the frame,

a crank for manually rotating one of the shafts, connections betvveen the shafts Whereby they Will be rotated in unison, and means operable by the shafts for simultaneously elevating said vertical members.

4. A device of the class described having a frame including legs, a horizontal member 

